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‘Combative’ US Ambassador Kyle McCarterClaps Back at Kenyans on Twitter over Coronavirus
US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter exchanged words with Kenyans on Twitter following his tweet on Sunday.
In the tweet, Amb. McCarter urged Kenyans to wear masks and maintain social distancing to avoid catching “Wuhan flu” (Covid-19).
“Only a fraction of the wananchi are wearing masks and social distancing. None of us know the magnitude of this Wuhan flu but we must take basic known wise precautions,” he wrote.
His tweet has attracted over 600 comments, 400 retweets and more than 2,000 likes. McCarter responded to most of the comments from Kenyans, especially those who questioned him for calling Covid-19 the “Wuhan flu.”
Below are some of the exchanges between McCarter and Kenyans on Twitter.
Allan Ogera asked: “It’s Corona virus, or Covid-19. Insisting on renaming it Wuhan flu or China flu like your prez is just plain daft!!! How many masks has @USEmbassyKenya donated??!!” McCarter replied: “You would not be able to test in Kenya if not for #usamarafiki.”
@KOT_Loyals said: “Covid-19, not Wuhan Flu.” McCarter responded by asking: “Are you KOT or WHO?”
@papashilingi commented: “Ambassador is wilding with an innovative home-made mask from a plastic carrier bag or some laser cut camouflaged air filter from the future LOL!!!” In rejoinder, McCarter noted: “Did you know that a shopping bag is NWPP? Same as material used to make hospital mask? This was my business for 30 years.”
@EnockAriga posed: “Did I read “wuhan virus”? When did it get the new name? Someone else called “chinese virus” is this a coincidence? This sounds derogatory, xenophobic and highly unwelcome sir!” McCarter replied by saying: “Origin only.”
@ScofieldVincent asked: “Sir, why are you calling it Wuhan flu?” McCarter replied: “Seriously, you are asking this? This is what it is called in China! Be honest my friend. Don’t be fooled by the dishonest media.”
@BarmasaBarmasa said: “Wuhan flu? Are trying to please Trump? To which McCarter responded: “No. Just being honest.”
